DPC-MARRIED COUPLES’ MINISTRY
LIFE SKILLS IN THE FAMILY. By Rosemarie Twagirayezu-Kwimbere
Reflections on the Importance of Life Skills
• According to the Bible: Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it” NKJV
• According to the WHO, life skills are the abilities required for ‘adaptive and positive behaviour’, empowering individuals to effectively navigate the challenges of daily life.
• UNICEF characterizes life skills as an approach focused on developing behaviour, aiming to strike a balance between knowledge, attitudes, and skills.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER
• Have a united front- avoid divided language
• Demonstrate and Instill moral values:
Truthfulness and honesty
Self-discipline & Self Motivation
Focus and Self-Control Gal. 5:22-23
Respect and valuing others
Empathy
Generosity
Hard working attitude
• Positive attitude- being optimistic about life and knowing that God Cares
Life Skills in the Family: Communication
•Trusting and Depending on God
Effective Communication Skills:
Important for language development, Social interaction, Self-expression and cognitive skills.
Encourage your child to engage in discussions, express themselves and listen actively
•Timely Communication, Open Communication, Listening skills, Critical Thinking (‘why’, ‘what if’ questions), Keeping in touch.
Life Skills in the Family:
Basic Hygiene
• Self
• Environment
• Public Spaces
Life Skills in the Family: Health & Nutrition
• ‘We are what we eat’- Importance of developing a varied palate
• Teaching about Nutrition and demonstrating it
• Cooking
• Physical Exercises- Demonstrating it- Anyone SWIMMING?
• Adequate Sleep? Sleep robbers
Life Skills in the Family: Good Manners
• Be aware of Cultural differences and Changing Trends
• BUT, REMEMBER THE GOLDEN RULE! Do unto others as you’d have them do to you Luke 6:31
• Participating in House chores
Life Skills in the Family: Time Management
•Do you have a plan for your day, week, months?
• Do you instill the importance of time in your children through demonstrating it?
Life Skills in the Family:Financial Literacy
• Acquiring Money and wealth(Planning)
• Budgeting
• Saving
• Spending
• Investing in viable projects
• How funds and wealth work
• Decision making
Life Skills in the Family: Critical Thinking
• Ability to analyze and evaluate information to guide their beliefs, decisions and actions.
• Children need critical thinking to make sense of the world around them and to solve problems
Life Skills in the Family: Independent
• Develop it according to age:
Teach, Guide, Monitor, Give feedback, affirm progress
Demonstrate that you trust the Child
Give tasks to challenge them
Life Skills in the Family: Negotiation Skills
•Toddlers
•Elementary School
•Teens
•Young Adults
•Corporate World
Life Skills in the Family:Taking on Challenges
•Step out of your comfort zone
•Taking on new tasks
•Helps with personal growth & development
•Critical for self-improvement
Life Skills in the Family: Coping with Failure
• Life is full of Challenges
• No one is Immune
Thank You For Listening
